Sewell Barn Theatre Trust Fund Registered Charity number 277724 Year ended 31 August 2022
Charity name The Sewell Barn Theatre Trust Fund other names the charity is known by Friends of the Sewell Barn Theatre (working name) Sewell Barn Theatre Society (working name)
Charity’s principal address
Sewell Barn Theatre Constitution Hill Norwich NR3 4BB
Website www.sewellbarn.org
Charity Trustees
Mrs June Gentle Mr Stephen Gidney Ms Anne Giles (death June 2022) Mr John Holden Mr Andrew Howard Mrs Waltraud Jarrold Mr Robert Little Ms Shelagh Maple Major Jonathan Redding
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The Sewell Barn Theatre Trust Fund is constituted as an arts and music trust with the Charity Commission. under Charity number 277724. It is governed by a Trust Deed dated 26 February 1979.
Organisation Structure
The Charity trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The Trustees have made provision for the day to day management of the Theatre and the control of finance to be carried out by a Committee, in conjunction with the Trustees. Substantial expenditure on the fabric, furniture or fittings of the Theatre is subject to prior written approval by the Trustees
Risk Management
The Trustees have assessed the risks the Charity faces and have implemented systems to mitigate these. The Trustees are satisfied that systems are in place or arrangements are in hand, to manage the risks that have been identified. In particular, insurance cover is in place and the finances are kept under regular review.
Objectives and Activities
The Charity aims to advance the education of the pupils of the Sewell Park Academy (formerly Blyth Jex School) and of the inhabitants of Norwich and surrounding area in the arts by maintaining a theatre for the exhibition of plays, cinematograph films, concerts, meetings and lectures.
The Trustees have given due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and have complied with their duties as detailed in the Charities Act 2011 with regard to public benefit. Careful consideration has been given to the accessibility of the Charity to as wide a community as possible. Reduced price admission to all plays in the regular season is offered for concessions and students are offered a further discount for one performance of each play.
Achievements and Performance - the 2021/22 season Love, Love, Love Three Russian Encounters Woman in Mind The Father Edith Orca Under Milk Wood
The season began with Love , Love , Love by Mike Bartlett, followed by Three Russian Encounters ( The Yalta Game and Afterplay by Brian Friel and Swansong by Anton Chekhov). Woman in Mind by Alan Ayckbourn came after \Christmas, followed by The Father translated by Christopher Hampton from Florian Zeller. Edith by Karen Forbes and then Orca by Matt Grinter. The season finished with a muchenjoyed run of Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas.
Overall the seating for the season was restricted to 80 per performance instead of the usual 100 and the season was 7 plays rather than the usual 8 (Covid restrictions). Attendance was an average of 53.62% of available seating with a notable 63% for Woman in Mind and 74% for Under Milk Wood making the season a success bothartistically and financially.
A series of rehearsed readings of The War that Still Goes On raised £750 for the Ukraine relief fund.
Up-to-date information about the Theatre can be found on the website (www.sewellbarn.org) and The Barn can be regularly followed on Facebook and Twitter.
Financial Review
Income and expenditure for the year were unpredictable given the continuing and uncertain nature of the Covid pandemic so overall income of £36,270 is very pleasing. In addition costs were kept admirably low by a concerted effort from all concerned.
We are delighted to acknowledge continued sponsorship from Spire Solicitors and Norfolk Gin. In addition, as business rate-payers we received a further government grant to support reopening.
We have thus been able to repay the final instalment of our generous interest free loan. Routine technical maintenance has been undertaken as the season progressed.
Looking ahead to 2022/23 costs are expected to rise considerably and so we have increased seat prices by £1. We will be closely monitoring all costs, but especially the costs of utilities for the costume store. We will be seeking local business sponsorship again and are hoping to break even on the season
Bankers
Lloyds Bank plc, Gentleman’s Walk, Norwich
Independent Examiner
Income was less than £25,000 for the year and so, in line with the Charity Commission’s guidelines, no Independent Examination or full accounts are required to be submitted. The Annual Return will be submitted to the Charity Commission.
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity Trustees
R Little
R Little (Chair) date 24 October 2022